Clinton Little League Divisions of Baseball

Tee Ball Baseballis for boys and girls 5-6 years old who want to learn the fundamentals of hitting and fielding. In Tee Ball, players hit a ball off a batting tee. Rules of the game may be varied to accommodate the need for teaching. The primary goals of Tee Ball are to instruct children in the fundamentals of baseball and to allow them to experience the value of teamwork. Rosters may be composed of between 9-10 players.

A-AA Baseball (formerly Juniors) Emphasis in the A and AA Divisions is on advancing skills and understanding of baseball in a dynamic and fun atmosphere.It is intended to be a 3 year program; most players will spend 3 years playing in A-AA. There will be 1 team practice per week,and one skills clinic per week. At each clinic, players and their coaches work on all aspects of the game, with guidance from clinic instructors, using a variety of drills and activities. The skills and fundamental knowledge learned in clinics will become the foundation needed to prepare all players for participation/development in A-AA baseball. Once the season begins, games will be played once a week. Winning/losing is not a concern, and no score is kept. The A division is intended for 6 year olds and for 7 year olds. 6 year olds will typically have played the previous year in Tee Ball. It will consist of approximately six teams, with a goal of approximately nine to ten kids per team. Safety balls will be used, with a progression from hitting from a batting tee, to pitching by the coaches. Emphasis is on fun and fast-paced action. Games, practices, and clinics will run no more than 90 minutes.

The AA division will be for 7 and 8 year olds that have played at least 1 year in A division. It will consist of approximately eight teams with a goal of ten to eleven players per team. Players will continue to learn basic fundamentals while playing more competitively, as most AAA rules will be followed. Both safety balls and hard baseballs will be used, with a mix of pitching by both players and coaches. Emphasis is on both fun and preparation for AAA baseball. There will also be a 2 hour time limit on games, and 90 minutes or less for practices and clinics.

AAA Baseball or the 8, 9 and 10 Year Old Baseball Division for boys and girls was established as a developmental program that includes competitive play. Players who turn 8 years old by April 30th are eligible to try-out/play and experience competitive games at the AAA level. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet.

Majors Baseball is for boys and girls ages 10-12. The diamond used is a 60-foot diamond and the pitching distance is 46 feet. Players who turn 10 years old by April 30th are eligible to try-out/play and experience competitive games at the Majors level. The teams will play approximately 3 games per week.

Junior Baseball is for boys ages 13-14, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. The Clinton teams will be comprised of two evenly selected groups of 13-14-year-olds. The two teams will play between 15-20 games and have 1-2 practices a week. The season features 7 inning games at specified nights and weekend dates versus other town teams in District 9. The spring season spans from April to July. Fall Ball will start shortly after the spring season ends in August.

Senior Baseball (New) is for boys ages 14-16, using a conventional 90-foot diamond with a pitching distance of 60 feet, 6 inches. The Clinton team will be comprised of 14-16-year-olds. The team will play games and have 1-2 practices a week. The season features 7 inning games at specified nights and weekend dates versus other town teams in District 9. The spring season spans from the end of June to August. This is a new division and the anticipated interest generated will make this division succeed.

Note: Playersare to be registeredinto divisions according to age, skill, and previous baseball experience. (Little League Age for all Baseball Divisions is the player’s age on April 30th ). Unless a player is returning to the same division as the prior year, progression to a higher division is subject to verification at assessments/try-outs. Any new players to Clinton LL will be placed in the division based on age, the league/division played in another town in the previous year, and/or player assessment/try-outs. Parents’ requests for specific division placement may be considered, and may be followed by a private player evaluation by league officials. However the decision of the Player Agent, Commissioner and President will be final.